Blogger of Everyday Stuff and Nonsense. Author.

Aye Aye Me Hearties!

I’ve finally found a reason (or excuse) to sit on my backside for more than 5 minutes at a time. It’s called – plantar fasciitis.

I suffered with the bloody thing a few years ago. It was slightly annoying, and mildly painful at times, but then it just went away. At the time I bought some of those expensive insoles to put in my shoes and it seemed to do the trick.

Last November, after a spell of ‘wellie-wearing,’ it came back. It has continued to improve, in the most negative way, from that point to this and now I can barely put my left heel to the floor without collapsing. Possibly a slight exaggeration but not by much.

The physio referred me to a podiatrist and off I limped. Obviously, Richard had to get out the old foot rasp thing and give my feet a good old filing down prior to the appointment. I have my pride – and it’s so much easier for him to do it – because I can lounge on the sofa while he sits happily grinding off dead skin – not speaking (always a bonus) – should he breathe in the dust.

First we have the usual rooting through drawers and cupboards to find new batteries, because he is of the opinion that my feet flatten a battery in 5 minutes. The actual truth is that he insists on buying a pack of twelve for 99p from the cheapo shop, even though I have informed him that he needs to buy the ones that the little rabbit advertises, because they are so powerful he could have my tootsies done in the blinking of an eye. But, no, he knows best.

Anyway …first appointment confirmed the diagnoses. Plantar wotsit. Cure? Stretch my calf muscles by standing on a step by the balls of my feet and letting my heels drop. Opinion? I would be much better by the next appointment. I almost jogged back to the car (almost but not quite. Jogging is overrated) knowing that I could actually be bothered to do that exercise.

Three weeks on and all there was to show for my efforts was a bottom stair that was starting to look decidedly threadbare. The pain was getting worse – much worse.

I toggled off to Boots and bought an elasticated heel support. It made my foot balloon. I bought more expensive insoles. I bought two new pairs of the most unflattering shoes imaginable and embarked on a self-cure blitz.

A week later I wimped my way to the doctor, wearing the dreadful shoes and feeling like a pillock, and politely enquired if there was anything else that they could suggest. She informed me that I could have a cortisone injection into my heel. Really? Sod that. I’m no chicken – remember I had my inguinal hernia sorted under local anaesthetic and to the strains of the Mama Mia soundtrack playing in the background? So, no, I am not a chicken – but as I live and breathe – an injection into the hard skin of my heel? I said I’d give the shitty shoes, elasticated heel bandage, insoles, and the stair carpet a tad longer to have an effect, and let her know.

Last week I had the second podiatrist appointment. She beamed at me as I limped in and enquired, ‘How is it?’

I really didn’t want to rain on her parade but, you know me, Mrs Truthful. So I told her. ‘Bloody awful! I can barely put my foot to the floor.’

Long story short …she set about trimming some insoles and sticking sticky-back foam here and there and shoved it in my revolting shoe. At first try it felt easier. She seemed pleased and waited for me to beetle off. Now, correct me if I’m wrong but isn’t making one of my legs higher than the other going to make me walk like Long John Silver? I mean, I’m going to be higher on one side than on the other. She seemed to see the sense in this and set about ramming another insole in my opposite revolting shoe.

As she turned away and started tapping away on her computer I realised that was that. Over and out! Job done! I was told to go away and see how I get on and then she will authorise the making of a lovely insole, especially to my requirements – and in leather no less.

So …the insole is crap. My foot is crap. And it hurts like crap. So what can I say other than crap.

Even the chickens freak out when they see me approaching. Mummy doesn’t walk like that! Who is this freak? Is that a parrot on her shoulder? And …jeez …look at those shoes!

Chea, of course, thinks it’s a blast. She can pooh in the carrot seedlings and charge into the greenhouse ahead of me, jump up on the staging and knock over the cosmos pots before I can prevent it. I’m sure I can hear her humming, she’ll be coming round the mountains when she comes.

There is an old adage is the horsey world …no foot, no horse! I can relate to this 100%

The pain is now at its worst and I am on the verge of considering ‘the needle.’ I have to go for my B12 jab next week (stings like hell) so perhaps I should get the two pricks at the same time, if you know what I mean? I’m not talking about the doctors …obviously …but then again.

Take care me lovelies …oh arr …oh arr x

P.S I am so into this ‘pirate’ state that I’ve now watched ‘Black Sails’, seasons 1 and 2. Pretty crap to start with …but season 2 was better with a massive twist that I didn’t see coming.

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23 thoughts on “Aye Aye Me Hearties!”

Oh dear, what an awful thing Gail, do hope it’s getting better. It always staggers me because I’ve always had the inbuilt idea that doctors have the magic cure for everything, but, in fact, for a great many things they haven’t got a clue. Heel pain is ghastly, I once broke my Achilles tendon, and the exercises after surgery were awful, physios are always so horribly healthy and sporty. Hoping you’re fighting fit soon, XXX

Oh, my goodness. That sounds awful – but I know of no-one else who can impart such horribleness with such humour! You gave me a good laugh anyhow! What a wonderful, kind person Richard must be. Have you tried magnesium? Tablets, and a hot foot soak in the stuff? Anyway, I do really, really hope that gets better. I agree with you on Black Sails – had such potential and then they messed it up with the script – too much tell and not enough show to get the scenes properly linked. Most confusing, I thought. My niece played Abigail Ashe. Quite an experience for a young, local actress.
Let us know how the foot does.

I haven’t tried magnesium tablets Malla …and I’m slightly unclear as to whether I take them internally or soak my foot in them? Would hate to choose the wrong option! And wow! As you say, what a great break for your niece.Hope you are well ‘over there!’ xx

Geoffrey, where did you get that. ‘doctors can cure everything ‘ crap????? Most dictors just spout what is drummed into them in med school, then keep rpeating it, over and over again. I have talked to doctors many many times. The odd one or two have a bit of gumption and look into midern trends ( there are newer curatives but……) most spout claptrap the Medical Council approve of. One size fits all! Well, it don’t, believe me, it don’t. A lot of people put up with what they are given and mostly, it ain’t much good.
Evelyn

Oh Gail I had to get quite a way through before i realised the plantar fasciitis was for real and not one of your wonderful creations! Pole sana, very sorry sounds so much more real in Swahili I think. i feel very guilty for the smile lines now and thanks as ever for the Black sails tip I had given up on it after a few episodes of season 1. I will persevere. So hope you are feeling better as I am very late reading this xxx

Now you’ve made me smile Gill. To imagine you reading – and waiting for the punch line when there wasn’t one. Quite a compliment really for you to think that I could make up something as impressive as plantar fasciitis! #laughing xx PS Have you tried Banshee?

Must admit I do struggle with accepting these things, basically because I can never find 5 interesting things to say about myself and nominating 10 bloggers who won’t shoot me for the intrusion is also a worry. BUT I may just give it a go …and thank you Julian xx